Chapter 15 EVAN
EVAN
Grant leads me to an office in the back of the house, where Forest is seated in front of a computer.
“Oh, sorry, Alpha. Didn’t know you would be in here.”
“You’re fine. Just paying bills. Nothing too exciting.” He clicks the mouse a couple of times before closing the laptop. “Did you need something?”
Grant walks to a closet on the side of the room, revealing a safe hidden within. “Evan asked for a gun, as a way to protect himself. I thought since they’re helping us…” He trails off, spinning the dial on the safe.
Forest doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely. I’ve had the same thought. Have you had any training?”
“Yes. I’ve taken some advanced courses, including some supernatural classes.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
Grant pulls out a large, black box and turns to me. “Are you familiar with Irocept bullets?”
I can’t hide my surprise. “They talked about those in my classes, but I’ve never seen them. They slow down vampires and fae, right?”
“That’s correct.” He picks up a bullet and places it in my palm. They look like normal bullets, except these have a faint blue hue embedded into the metal. “They’re made with infused iron. The magic slows down vampires and fae, but it also slows healing in shifters.”
Forest stands. “Which means if one of us gets hit with them? We can’t just shift to heal.”
I nod. “I hear you. I’m a steady aim, and I promise you, none of you are my targets.”
“Or our neighbors,” he says.
I swallow hard. How will I know friend from foe in unfamiliar packs? “The only way I’m aiming for a wolf is if they’re attacking myself or Jericho.”
Grant pulls two boxes of ammo from the safe and hands them to me, then offers me a silver handgun. It’s smaller than the one I have at home, but far more deadly.
After ensuring the handgun is locked, I tuck it in the back of my pants then pull my shirt down over it. “Thank you. I know it’s a sign of trust that you give me this, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Forest squeezes my shoulder. We all walk out together, and when I see Jericho talking to Rowen, I make a quick exit to put the gun and ammo away in the van.
Jericho wouldn’t like me having a gun, since it means I intend to fight.
But he can’t expect me to just sit around when his life is in danger. He means too much to me to do that.
Way too much.
When I return inside, Jericho’s booming laughter stops me in my tracks.
Rowen is doing some sort of charade in front of everyone, making Jericho, Ivy, and Red all buckle over.
The way his eyes light up when he smiles knocks the air from my lungs.
I’d do anything to keep Jericho that happy. Absolutely anything.
I take a seat next to him at the breakfast bar and reach for an apple in the basket. He still seems nervous around me after our near kiss, but at least he isn’t leaving.
Today has been the best one yet since he returned to my life, and I’m starting to feel connected to him again. But more than that, I’m starting to connect with the Clearwater pack too, which has been the biggest surprise of all. I like them, even starting to consider them friends.
We—or rather, I—eat dinner with the shifters and hang out with them until dark, then Jericho and I retreat to the van. After kicking off our shoes, we scoot back to sit against the wall.
Nights in here have become my new favorite thing. Away from the stress and what-ifs, away from the ever-present eyes of the shifters. It’s where Jericho and I have been learning to be us again, talking until the late hours, just like we used to.
But tonight… tonight, something is different.
I can’t stop thinking about the way he’d almost kissed me.
Jericho reaches for a sketchbook but doesn’t open it. Instead, he gives me a shy smile. “Today was fun,” he says, sounding so much like his old self that my heart squeezes.
“Yeah, it was. Minus the whole, throwing me over your shoulder thing. That wasn’t as much fun.”
He laughs and bumps my knee. “Whatever. You loved it.”
I can’t help but smile.
When I don’t say anything, he opens the sketchbook and quickly becomes lost in his art. I play some games on my phone, trying to ignore the emotions stirring within. He’s just so… easy. So comfortable. He makes me feel truly relaxed and safe. And happy.
But I’m hyper aware of other things too. The heat coming from his skin, the tightness in my belly. The butterflies every time his knee touches mine. Was I always this way around him and, if so, how did I not realize it? Did I ignore it because he’s a guy?
It doesn’t matter. Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t unsee it. I can’t ignore it.
I don’t even want to.
I turn to him, nerves twisting in my gut. “Jer?”
He turns.
I bite my lip before blurting, “Can I kiss you?”
His eyes bulge, but he doesn’t reply. He doesn’t even move.
Heat floods my face as I try to explain, but I’m not used to being so forward. I shove my emotions aside, reminding myself that this is Jericho. I’ve never hidden things from him before, so why start now?
“These last few days have been eye opening for me. I mean, these last few months have, really. It’s shown me how much you mean to me.
And now that I know how you feel about me?
” I shake my head, rubbing my palms against my jeans.
I’m suddenly nervous, afraid he’s going to say no.
“I can’t explain it. It’s like finding those drawings helped me see you, Jer.
Like, really see you. And I…” I force myself to look up. “I really like what I see.”
His lips twitch into the beginnings of a smile. “You do?”
“I’m starting to think maybe I did before, and I just didn’t realize it.” When he doesn’t reply, I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m probably not making sens—”
Jericho cuts me off with a kiss. His warm, soft lips press firmly against mine, sharp stubble tickling my chin. I draw in a breath through my nose before reaching over to clutch at his shirt.
Jericho cups my face, like he’s afraid I’m going to pull away. But how the hell can I? Now that I’ve had a taste, I don’t want to stop.
Jericho drags a tongue along my lips, almost teasing, and I immediately open for him, twisting my body to make it easier. The movement confuses Jericho and he pulls away, mouth parted.
I furrow my brows. “Why’d you stop?”
“Just need to make sure you still want it.”
I grin at him and nod. “I really fucking do.”
I slam our mouths together, groping and grasping at any part of him I can touch.
Jericho glides a hand up my back, pulling my shirt up with it.
Whether he meant to or not, I don’t care.
The moment his palm touches my skin, desire ripples through me like nothing I’ve ever known before.
My cock hardens, and I lean into him. More, more, more.
Yanking my shirt off, I throw it on the floor and grin at him in anticipation.
He hesitates. “We don’t need to—”
“I know. But I really like your hands on me, so I’m making it easier. Keep touching me.”
I smile again before kissing him. How have I never thought about this before? Never wanted it? It feels so good, so right to be with him.
Tugging at his shirt, I pull it up until I can slide a hand underneath. His muscles flex under my palm, and Jericho lets out a groan.
I feel up to his peck, then lift his shirt until he takes it off. Sitting back, I take him in. Like really take him in. His hard abdomen and slightly hairy chest. “When did you become so damn solid?”
He doesn’t reply, and when I lift my gaze, I’m surprised to see concern etched on his face.
Like he must think I’m comparing him to the women I’ve slept with in the past. Maybe I am, because his body is so different.
So much more rigid and rough. So much bigger.
I definitely enjoyed the women, but this? Right now? This is all I want.
I kiss him again. “I told you. I really like what I see, Jer. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it before, but you’re so goddamn beautiful.”
He reaches for me. “Not nearly as beautiful as you.”
I puff my chest out a little, enjoying the way his eyes roam over my body. I’ve never been the most fit guy, but I like to think I take care of myself, especially these last few months. I needed to be in the best shape of my life if I was going to face vampires.
And with the way he’s looking at me now? Like I’m the sexy one in the room? It makes all those workouts worth it.
Jericho kisses me again, gently pulling me until we’re lying on the mattress on our sides. He seems nervous when I grin at him. “Just thought this might be easier.”
I barely hear him, too distracted by how good it feels to be skin to skin. I scoot closer, our chests and thighs touching. If only we didn’t have pants on… I want to feel all of him. Every single inch.
Jericho slides a hand around my back, holding me like he’s never held me before.
His eyes are smoldering as he stares at me.
Searching. I take note of our uneven breaths, at the way his strong body feels against mine, then I roll on top of him and kiss him.
It’s not weird or uncomfortable at all. Just the opposite. Doing this with Jericho is… divine.
A sharp metallic taste fills my mouth, and Jericho immediately jerks back. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
Confused, I wipe my lip, surprised when my fingers come away streaked with blood.
Jericho cut me. With his fangs.
He starts to pull away, but I reach for him.
“Don’t.” I’m a little dazed, but more from the kissing than anything else.
Pinning him down, I reach up to turn the overhead light on, then pause when I see two sharp daggers poking out from behind his upper lip. It’s not the first time I’ve seen his fangs, but the fact that they came out as we made out like a couple of horny teenagers? It almost makes me laugh.
“Told you. They’re like erections.”
Jericho hides his face against my shoulder, laughing hard. “Would you stop saying that!”
I chuckle, taking the opportunity to kiss his neck, his throat, working my way to his jaw.
He clearly likes it, turning slowly until our lips meet again.
Sure, the fangs are weird, but they’re also hot as hell.
So is the very obvious bulge between Jericho’s legs.
It’s impossible to miss, with our bodies plastered together as they are.
Who knew I’d enjoy feeling another man’s dick so much? Or that I’d respond the same way… I don’t remember the last time I got hard just from kissing.
“You should’ve told me how hot this is,” I murmur. “Kissing a guy, I mean.”
He casts me a wary glance, like he’s afraid I might come to my senses and throw him off at any second.
“I’m serious. I really like this. All of it.” I brush a thumb over his lips and fangs to prove I’m not bothered by them. When Jericho doesn’t stop me, I trace a thumb down the entire length of one fang, surprised that it feels so much like a normal tooth. Minus the razor-sharp tip, anyway.
As if in answer, a droplet of blood starts to form where the point of his fang meets my finger. Jericho wets his lips, then pulls my hand away forcefully, like my blood is too much of a temptation. Then he begins kissing his way down my jaw to my neck. I shudder when his teeth graze my skin.
I slide an arm around his back, head spinning. His breathing is becoming labored, frantic. Or maybe it’s mine. I can’t tell where his breath ends and where mine begins.
My phone rings from somewhere on the mattress, but I ignore it, too caught up in the moment with Jericho. Wrapping one leg around his thigh, I arch my hips forward to grind us together.
Jericho stills as soon as he feels my erection, then inhales against my skin. “You smell so fucking good right now.”
I should probably be nervous with the way he said that. But honestly? It just turns me on even more. I want to know what it’s like to have Jericho bite me.
My phone rings again, and this time we both pause. There are two people who would call me back-to-back, and one of them is right here.
“Should you get that?”
Sighing, I snag my phone from the corner of the mattress. “It’s my mom.”
“Answer it.”
It’s not a suggestion.
Jericho crawls off the bed and reaches for his shirt. When he slips into his shoes, I frown.
“Where are you going?”
“I need some air.”
I reach for him. “Jer.”
He turns to me, and my stomach sinks when I get a glimpse of how dark his eyes are. Oh. Oh! Shit, he really had been about to drink from me.
I swallow hard and let go. Yeah, maybe we went a little fast…
But oh, how it felt right…
I want it again. And soon.
“Answer it,” he says again when my phone starts ringing for the third time.
“We’re good though, right?”
He smiles and squeezes my knee. “Ev, if you knew how good I felt right now…” He kisses me. “We’re good.”
Slumping back against the mattress, I answer the phone and watch him slip through the door. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”